Description Becoming the "Great Wal-Mart of China" is the goal of Shanghai Bailian Group Co., the country's largest retailer. It operates department stores and supermarkets throughout China, leading the retail market with more than 6,000 outlets. Formerly known as Shanghai No. 1 Department Store Co., it merged with Shanghai Hua Lian Co. in 2004 before changing its name to Shanghai Bailian. It owns about a fifth of China's largest supermarket operator, Lianhua. Shanghai Brilliance (Group) Co., which is owned by the Chinese government, is the major shareholder in Shanghai Bailian. Shanghai Friendship Group has agreed to acquire Shanghai Bailian in a 16 billion yuan ($2.4 billion) stock swap.